Darren Clarke’s win in this week’s British Open was a win for the good guys, and was reminiscent of the way golf used to be played.
The traditionalists would say that a lot of the characters and character has been removed from golf over the last several decades. Fitness and concentration have become the stock in trade of many of the top golfers (as typified by Tiger) – which has made them less accessible to the regular golf fan. This was a win for the regular bloke, by one.
In the aftermath of his victory at this week’s British Open, the 42-year-old Northern Irishman clutched a pint of Guinness and commented that he expected to be very hung over following celebrations. There is so much to like about this friendly ogre of world golf. In his press conference Clarke commented: “I like to go to the pub and have a pint, jump on Easyjet, fly home, buy everyone a drink. There’s not many airs and graces about me. I’m just a normal guy playing golf, having a bit of fun.”
Clarke is much more man than machine. He is rotund, walks with an awkward gait, can be disheveled in appearance, often lights up on the course and has an infectious smile that can itself light up the gallery. In some ways he is the anti-Tiger, although we now know that they both enjoy a drink!
Above all Clarke is a very good golfer who grew up on Links golf courses. Like grass court tennis, Links golf is becoming a lost art with fewer championships played on the challenging seaside layouts. The USPGA Tour has become the dominant world tour and its golf courses require a different style of shot making.
By and large the American courses reward long drives and high approach shots. Accordingly, most swings have become like metronomes that consistently produce shots of the same length and trajectory. Of course the best of the best like Tiger and Phil have more tricks in their bag.
The golf swing du jour is highly efficient with minimal excess movement. There is no doubt that there are a lot of attractive swings around at the moment. However many are clones lacking the idiosyncratic flaws that were the trademark of the past greats. You knew if you were watching Nicklaus or Zoeller from the iconic swing.
The criticism would be that golfers who do not venture outside the US do not have a great variety of shots. As Links courses are often whipped by gale force winds – low “burners” and bump and run shots become essential. Clarke is a master of such shots, he also has a natural, long, free flowing rhythmic swing that you see more of in Europe than you do in the US. Clarke has it all and the stronger the wind blew the more he looked at home.
A man who typifies the quirkiness of UK Links golf has indeed brought the Open home – being the first UK winner of the Auld Claret Jug in twelve years. The last few years have been dynastic for Northern Irish golf with major wins for McDowell, the new boy wonder McIlroy and now the old man Clarke. The dominance of the Ulstermen has precipitated some to call for the Open to return to Northern Ireland for only the second time.
There are now serious calls for the R&A to break its intended rota and hold the Open at Clarke’s home course, Royal Portrush. That would be some kind of homecoming for the people’s champion.
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